Apparatus for positioning,stopping and locking of a service carriage mechanism of a textile yarn processing machine

ABSTRACT

A mechanism for positioning, stopping and locking a service carriage mechanism in predetermined desired locations at the front of a selected spindle assembly or other desired location of a textile yarn processing machine or other machine. The mechanism includes a first locking component in the form of a rotatably mounted roller and a second locking component in the form of at least one elongate member extending longitudinally of the machine including a depression therein medially thereof for receiving the roller and cooperating therewith for stopping and locking the service carriage mechanism and inclined guide surfaces extending longitudinally outwardly from the depression and forming generally an obtuse angle from the depression for contacting and guiding the roller into the depression for positioning the service carriage mechanism. One of the first and second locking components is mounted stationary on the machine at each desired servicing position and the other locking component is movably mounted on the service carriage mechanism for movement between an inoperative position away from contact with the stationary locking component and an operative position for contact with the stationary locking component when positioning, stopping and locking of the service carriage mechanism is desired. Selectively operable mechanisms are carried by the service carriage mechanism for resiliently moving the movable locking component into the operative position thereof.

Unite States Patent Franzen Oct. 22, 1974 1 1 APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING,

STOPPING AND LOCKING OF A SERVICE CARRIAGE MECHANISM OF A TEXTILE YARN PROCESSING MACHINE [75] Inventor: Gustav Franzen, Krefeld, Germany [73] Assignee: Palitex Project Company GmbH,

Krefeld, Germany v [22] Filed: Oct. 24, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 409,032

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 5, 1973 Germany 2317052 [52] US. Cl. 57/34 R, 57/53 {51] Int. Cl. DOIh 15/00, DOlh 9/14 [58] Field of Search 57/1 R, 34 R, 52-54 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,374,616 3/1968 Hidden ct 11. 57/53 3.403.866 10/1968 Bell ct a1 57/53 X 3.486.319 12/1969 Lee. Jr. ct a1 57/34 R 3.540200 11/1970 Tsukumo ct a1. 57/34 R Primary Examiner-John Petrakes Attorney, Agent, or FirmParrott, Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson 1 1 ABSTRACT A mechanism for positioning, stopping and locking :1

service carriage mechanism in predetermined desired locations at the front of a selected spindle assembly or other desired location of a textile yarn processing machine or other machine. The mechanism includes a first locking component in the form of a rotatably mounted roller and a second locking component in the form of at least one elongate member extending longitudinally of the machine including a depression therein medially thereof for receiving the roller and cooperating therewith for stopping and locking the service carriage mechanism and inclined guide surfaces extending longitudinally outwardly from the depression and forming generally an obtuse angle from the depression for contacting and guiding the roller,

into the depression for positioning the service carriage mechanism. One of the first and second locking components is mounted stationary on the machine at each desired servicing position and the other locking component is movably mounted on the service carriage mechanism for movement between an inoperative position away from contact with the stationary locking component and an operative position for contact with the stationary locking component when positioning, stopping and locking of the service carriage mechanism is desired. Selectively operable mechanisms are carried by the service carriage mechanism for resiliently moving the movable locking component into the operative position thereof.

23 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures Wooy 44 wow 44 10 PAIENIEnnmzzmn q 3.842577 sum 10! 7 PUG 44 {KY} 44 (low 40 so Y z 5% a l w P) 15 6| T I 12. i I l l4 A I? QIO": I

"Aw, 5M5 5?. A 52 APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING, STOPPING AND LOCKING OF A SERVICE CARRIAGE MECHANISM OF A TEXTILE YARN PROCESSING MACHINE This invention relates to improved mechanisms for positioning, stopping and locking a service carriage mechanism in predetermined desired locations at the front of a machine, such as a textile yarn processing machine or the like, for servicing thereof.

In the operation of textile yarn processing machines, such as twisters, pinning frames or the like, and in particular two-for-one twisters, and when the yarn being processed at a spindle assembly has broken or the supply package of yarn has been exhausted, it is necessary to stop operation of a rotating rotor mechanism forming a part of the yarn processing spindle assembly for rethreading of the yarn through the spindle assembly. Stopping of the rotation of the rotor mechanism results in the rotor mechanism coming to rest in an arbitrary position which may or may not coincide with the desired position of the rotor mechanism for threading up of the spindle assembly. Accordingly, the rotor mechanism must be re-po'sitioned to the desired threading position. If the spindle assemblies of the yarn processing machine include pneumatically-operated yarn threading mechanisms, these threading mechanisms must be pneumatically actuated by supplying of compressed air under pressure to the pneumatic threading mechanisms when yarn threading is desired. Additionally, the broken or otherwise separated yarn in the spindle assembly must be knotted together for continued operation of the yarn processing spindle assembly.

Accordingly, it is necessary to perform the above outlined servicing functions periodically at specific spindle assembly locations. Heretofore, various mechanisms have been provided either at each spindle assembly or are manually brought to the desired spindle assembly when servicing thereof is required. This required a duplication of apparatus at each spindle assembly for the'servicing thereof or the burden of an operator manually bringing the servicing apparatus to the spindle assembly when servicing is required. Also, other textile yarn processing machines and other machines have need of various types of services periodically at individual, predetermined, servicing locations, while the remainder of the machine continues to operate.

To overcome the above problems of duplicating servicing apparatus at various servicing locations of machines or the manual bringing of the service apparatus to the servicing locations, it has been heretofore proposed to provide movable service carriage mechanisms carrying servicing devices which can travel along the length of the machine and which either probe or monitor all of the desired servicing locations one after the other for their operating conditions, or is directed either according to a fixed program or as required to a given service location which needs to be serviced. In this operation, the movable carriage mechanisms come to a halt at the corresponding servicing locations and the servicing mechanisms come into operation for performing services at the desired location.

These service carriage mechanisms must be guided accurately into the desired servicing locations which has presented considerable difficulties because of the inertia forces which must be overcome in stopping and positioning the service carriage mechanism with its servicing devices thereon. This problem was recognized in U.S. Pat. No. 3,403,866, issued Oct. 1, 1968.

In accordance with that patent, after locating a thread breakage at the operating station of a textile yarn processing machine needing servicing, the carriage mechanism is brought to a halt so that its forward motion is gradually slowed and then its direction of movement is reversed, so that it arrives at the servicing location from the reverse direction. A carriage brake and locking device are employed which include a guide rail which runs the length of the machine and which has locking cut-outs in its upper surface and has an outward-facing flange. On the carriage mechanism there is fixed a positioning switch with an outward facing spring-loaded roller which works in conjunction with the guide rail and the locking cut-outs. The cut-outs correspond to the operating positions on the machine frame which may require servicing and the roller runs on the flange of the guide rail.

In operation of the arrangement according to the aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 3,403,866, when a thread breakage has been detected, the spring-loaded roller enters the next cut-out corresponding to the operating station needing servicing and this reverses the driving motor to slow down the carriage mechanism, stop it and then reverse its motion so that it moves backwards into the servicing position. The problem of how and when to stop the reverse motion of the carriage is solved by the use of a positioning lock. This positioning lock consists of a conical peg pointing downwards which is normally located on the carriage mechanism over the guide-rail flange with its cut-outs. It is kept up by a horizontal lever which is-fixed centrally to the armature of an electromagnet which is not normally energized.

In operation of this positioning lock of the above prior patent, when the positioning switch is closed, current is lead to the electromagnet which causes the downward pointing peg to drop slowly after a slight delay. ln the meantime, the carriage has come to a halt in the forward direction and has started to move backwards so that it comes into place opposite the operating position needing servicing. Because of the corresponding distance between the cut-outs in the flange, the peg is also over a cut-out when the locking position is reached. The peg drops into the cut-out and locks the carriage in the required location for dealing with yarn breakage. The driving motor continues to run but produces no tractive effect during the servicing operation. As the peg approaches the locking cut-out, it is pressed on the upper surface of the flange of the guide rail and slides along it until it reaches the corresponding cut-out into which it drops and locates with its angled faces so that the carriage is locked to the exact position opposite the station needing to be serviced.

It is clear from the foregoing explanation that the previously known apparatus for positioning a service carriage mechanism opposite a servicing location of a machine brings with it several difiicult problems.

For repeated carrying out of the servicing operations, good resistivity of the mechanisms which guide the service carriage movement is an absolute prerequisite. Normal wear on the parts of the apparatus should be such that it only has a slight effect on the accuracy of the carriage mechanisms guidance. The guiding parts of the apparatus and the way in which the parts are arranged should be such that they can withstand continued heavy vibration such as occurs in modern highoutput textile machines or other machines. In addition, these mechanisms must withstand damage due to stresses caused by their movement along the machine and caused by stopping, locating and repeated locating. Otherwise, the mechanisms will require continual repair. Consequently, the positioning, stopping and locking mechanisms for a service carriage device must be robust and not delicate and must continually insure accurate positioning, stopping and locking of the service carriage mechanism.

The prior devices for stopping and locating a service carriage mechanism, described in the above US. Pat. No. 3,403,866 and all others presently known, have design weaknesses which militate against long-term trouble-free operation. In the first place, the positioning switch of the prior patented device is continually running along the guide-rail flange with its cut-outs and by its nature is subjected to damage due to continuous use. In addition, the continued going into and out of the cutouts with the associated impacts cause rapid wear on the positioning switch. If the switch fails, the positioning device fails, and with it, the whole service carriage arrangement. The complicated interaction of a large number of mechanical and electrical parts utilized in prior mechanisms are subjected to vibration by the machine being serviced and is a hindrance to trouble-free operation over a long period of time. A malfunction or a displacement of any one of these parts renders the service carriage mechanism useless for its required purpose.

Accordingly, it is the object of this invention to provide improved mechanisms for positioning, locking and stopping a service carriage mechanism in selected, predetermined, desired locations along the front of a machine for selected servicing of the machine at desired locations, which will overcome prior problems presented with such service carriage positioning, stopping and locking mechanisms and which greatly simplifies the prior construction of such mechanisms; and, more particularly, the combination of such improved mechanisms with a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame, or the like having a longitudinally movable service carriage mechanism.

in accordance with the presentinvention, it has been found that the above objects may be accomplished by providing improved means for positioning, stopping and locking a movable service carriage mechanism in selected, predetermined, desired locations along the front of a machine in which the service carriage mechanism includes means mounting the service carriage mechanism for movement longitudinally along the front of the machine, which may be a textile yarn processing machine or other machine, and the combination of such improved positioning, stopping and locking mechanisms with a service carriage mechanism and with a textile yarn processing machine having a plurality of spindle assemblies mounted in side-by-side relationship longitudinally of said machine and which individually require servicing in the event of yarn breakage, exhausting of a supply package of yarn, etc.

The improved positioning, stopping and locking means comprise a first locking component in the form of a rotatably mounted roller, and a second cooperating locking component comprising at least one elongate member extending longitudinally of the machine being serviced and including a depression therein medially thereof for receiving the roller and cooperating therewith for stopping and locking the service carriage mechanism and inclined guide surfaces extending longitudinally outwardly from the depression and forming generally an obtuse angle from the depression for contacting and guiding the roller into the depression for positioning the service carriage mechanism.

One of the first and second locking components is mounted stationary on the machine being serviced at each of the desired predetermined servicing locations or at each of said spindle assemblies of a yarn processing machine. The other of the first and second locking components is movably mounted on the service carriage mechanism for movement between an inoperative position away from contact with the stationary locking components when positioning, stopping and locking of the service carriage mechanism is not desired and an operative position for contact with the stationary locking component when positioning, stopping and locking of the service carriage mechanism is desired. Selectively operable means are carried by the service carriage mechanism for resiliently moving the movable locking component into the operative position thereof.

Preferably, the roller is generally cylindrical shaped and the depression is shaped in the deepest portion thereof in the form of an arc of a circle generally corresponding to the diameter of the roller and the sides of the depression are in the form of tangentially inclined surfaces leading from the guide surfaces lt is also pre ferred for the second locking component to include oppositely inclined guide surfaces extending outwardly from the first mentioned guide surfaces for contacting and guiding the roller onto the first mentioned guide surfaces and into the depressions.

The improvements of this invention may include an indicator means carried by the machine for indicating the need for service individually for each of the predetermined servicing locations or each of the spindle assemblies, and sensing means carried by the service carriage mechanism and connected with the means for resiliently moving the movable locking component and being responsive to the indication for the need of service by the indicator means for actuating the moving means to cause operation of the means for positioning, stopping and locking the service carriage mechanism. The service carriage mechanism may include reversing drive mechanisms for driving the service carriage back and forth along the front of the machine. in this event, the sensing means is connected with the carriage drive means for stopping operation thereof in response to the indication for the need of service by the indicator means. However, the carriage mechanism may be manually moved to the general vicinity of a spindle assembly or a servicing location so that the improved means for positioning, stopping and locking the carriage mechanism in accordance with this invention may come into operation.

in one embodiment of improvements according to this invention, the first locking component comprising the rotatable roller is mounted stationary on the machine at each desired servicing location or at each spindle assembly and the second cooperating locking component is movably mounted on the service carriage mechanism and comprises two pivotally mounted elongate members positioned in scissors-like relationship and crossing each other generally medially thereof and together forming the depression in the region of their crossing and being pivotally mounted at opposite ends on the carriage mechanism and carried at the other ends by the means for moving them into operative position.

A variation of this embodiment utilizes as the second locking component a single generally flattened U- shaped member pivotally mounted on the service carriage mechanism at respective end portions thereof and the depression and guide surfaces are formed in the medial portion thereof which extends generally longitudinally of the machine being serviced.

Another embodiment of improvements according to this invention mounts the second locking component stationary on the machine being serviced at each desired servicing location or each spindle assembly and comprises an elongate member extending longitudinally of the machine and including the depression therein medially thereof and the inclined guide surfaces extending longitudinally outwardly from the depression. In this embodiment the first cooperating locking component in the form of a rotatably mounted roller is carried on the service carriage mechanism for movement between operative and inoperative positions for operation of the positioning, stopping and locking means, as discussed above.

Thus, it may be seen by the broad descriptions above, that the embodiments of the present invention provide improved mechanisms for positioning, stopping and locking a service carriage mechanism at desired servicing locations along the front of a machine to be serviced which has overcome the problems and difficulties with prior mechanisms by providing a simple and robust construction in which no operating parts are contacting each other when servicing of the machine is not desired and which does not have a multiplicity of complicated electro-mechanical elements which become maladjusted through operation which will accurately position, stop and lock the carriage mechanism when servicing at a predetermined location is desired.

Some of the objects and advantages of this invention having been stated, other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective viewtaken generally from the front of a portion of a two-for-one twister yarn processing machine including a plurality of spindle assemblies requiring servicing and having a longitudinally movable service carriage mechanism disposed at the front thereof and including the improved positioning, stopping and locking mechanisms of this invention thereon;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the service carriage mechanism with the improvements of this invention thereon, as shown in FIG. I, and eliminating portions of the yarn processing machine;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of service carriage positioning, stopping and locking mechanisms in accordance with this invention, with the locking components thereof in the operative position;

FIG. 5 is a view, like FIG. 4, illustrating the components in the inoperative position thereof;

FIG. 6 is a view, like FIG. 4, illustrating a variation of that embodiment and further illustrating indicating and sensing means incorporated therewith and with the locking components in the operative position thereof;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view, taken generally along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view, like FIG. 6, with the locking components in the inoperative position thereof;

FIG. 9 is a view, like FIG. 4, illustrating a further embodiment of positioning, stopping and locking mechanisms in accordance with this invention and with the locking components thereof in the operative position and including a further form of indicating and sensing means therewith;

FIG. 10 is a view, like FIG. 9, with the locking components in the inoperative position thereof;

FIG. 11 is a view, like FIG. 4, of a further embodiment of positioning, stopping and locking mechanisms in accordance with this invention with the locking components in the operative position thereof and including indicating and sensing means; and

FIG. 12 is a view, like FIG. 11, with the locking components in the inoperative position thereof.

While the drawings and specific description to follow will be related to a two-for-one twister yarn processing machine, which is the preferred form of apparatus, having a service carriage mechanism with servicing devices thereon and movable along the front thereof and including the improved positioning, stopping and locking mechanisms according to this invention, it is to be understood that the improvements of this invention could be utilized on other types of service carriage mechanisms and with other types of machines including other yarn processing machines.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a portion of a two-for-one twister yarn processing machine having a plurality of spindle assemblies, generally indicated at 10, positioned in side-by-side relationship. A full illustration and description of the entire two-forone twister yarn processing machine and the various spindle assemblies 10 thereof is not given herein and it is not believed to be necessary for an understanding of the present invention, the operation and structure of such a two-for-one twister yarn processing machine and the plurality of spindle assemblies thereof being well understood by those with ordinary skill in the art.

Generally, each of the spindle assemblies 10, which are conventionally mounted in side-by-side relationship in a two-for-one twister yarn processing machine, comprise a rotatably driven rotor mechanism, generally indicated at 11. The rotor mechanism 11 includes a whorl l2 suitably rotatably mounted on the twister frame portion 13 and rotated by a continuous drive belt 14. The rotor mechanism 11 further includes a horizontally-extending reserve disc 16 (see FIG. 2) secured to the whorl 12 for being driven thereby and a generally vertically-extending hollow axle device (not shown) extending upwardly from the reserve disc 16. The reserve disc 16 and hollow axle define a vertically-extending yarn passageway (not shown) extending through the hollow axle and partly through the reserve disc 16 and a horizontally-extending yarn passageway (not shown) extending through at least a portion of and out of the reserve disc 16 and mating with the vertically extending yarn passageway.

The spindle assembly 10 further includes a carrier mechanism for carrying a hollow package P of yarn Y and being rotatably mounted on the rotor mechanism 11 by bearings (not shown) so that the rotor mechanism 11 may rotate relative to the carrier mechanism 25. The carrier mechanism 25 includes a basket device 26 which surrounds the package P of yarn Y. The carrier mechanism 25 may also include a hollow yarn package carrier member 28 carried by the carrier mechanism 25 and onto which the hollow package P of yarn Y is supported. The hollow carrier 28 may also include a yarn entry tube 30 for providing a yarn passageway mating with the vertically-extending passageway and the rotor mechanism 11.

Spindle assembly 10 further includes a balloon limitor device 33 surrounding the basket device 26 so as to contain the balloon of yarn formed on the outside of the basket device 26. A yarn guide eyelet 40 is positioned above and in axial alignment with the hollow axle and the yarn entry tube 30. There is further provided a pre-take up roll 42, a yarn traversing mechanism 43, a take-up or package roll 44 upon which the yarn Y is wound after being processed or twisted by the spindle assembly 10. Package roll 44 is rotated by friction drive roll 45.

With the above described mechanisms, the yarn Y passes from the package P, through the yarn entry tube 30, through the vertically-extending yarn passageway in the hollow axle device, through the horizontallyextending yarn passageway in the reserve disc device 16 and out of the reserve disc 16 in a horizontal direction (as shown in FIG. 2). The yarn then passes upwardly between the basket device 26 and the balloon limitor device 33 and forms a balloon of yarn Y which is contained by the balloon limitor device 33. The yarn then passes through a yarn guide eyelet 40, over pretake-up roll 42 and is traversed by the traversing mechanism 43 onto the package roll 44 to complete its travel through the respective spindle assembly. As is well understood by those with ordinary skill in the art, a twofor-one twist is inserted in the yarn during the above noted path of travel.

The drive belt 14 is maintained in engagement with the whorl 12 of the spindle assembly 10 by means of a pivotally mounted roll 15 during yarn processing by the spindle assembly 10. When the yarn Y breaks or the supply package of yarn P is exhausted and it is desired to stop operation of the rotor mechanism 11, the roll 15 is moved away from the belt 14 which allows it to become disengaged with the whorl 12 at a selected spindle assembly and allows the rotor mechanism 11 of that spindle assembly 10 to stop. The rotor mechanism 11 may be stopped by means of an internal expanding brake, in accordance with US. Pat. No. 3,269,103, issued Aug. 30, 1966 or US. Pat. No. 3,466,865, issued Sept. 16, 1969, both of which are assigned to the assignee of the present invention, or otherwise. This results in the rotor mechanism 11 and particularly the horizontal yarn passageway passing yarn out of the rotor mechanism 11 being stopped in an arbitrary position and usually in a position other than desired for rethreading of the spindle assembly 10.

Each of the spindle assemblies 10, may be pivoted with pneumatically operated, yarn threading mechanisms for threading of the yarn Y through the spindle assembly 10 when rethreading of the spindle assembly 10 due to yarn breakage or exhausting of the supply package P occurs. Such rethreading mechanisms are described in US. Pat. No. 3,731,478, issued May 8, 1973, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and reference may be had to that patent for a full disclosure of these mechanisms. Generally, these pneumatically operated air threading mechanisms include, inter alia, an air channel (not shown) formed in the reserve disc 16 of the rotor mechanism 11 and a port 58 (see FIG. 3) on the underside of the reserve disc 16 of the rotor mechanism 11 for selectively receiving air under pressure into the air channel. The air channel communicates with the horizontally-extending yarn passageway in the reserve disc 16 of the rotor mechanism 11 so that, when the air channel receives air under pressure, it will cause a positive air stream through the horizontally extending air passageway and a negative air stream through the vertically extending passageway. A negative air stream will also be created through the yarn entry tube 30.

For rethreading of the yarn Y through the spindle assembly 10, the yarn Y may be placed at the entrance to the yarn entry tube 30 and will be sucked into and pulled through the yarn entry tube 30 and the vertically extending yarn passageway by negative pressure and the yarn will then be forced through and out of the horizontally-extending passageway by a positive air stream. When the rotor mechanism is properly positioned, the emitted yarn Y and positive air stream will strike a deflector plate 59 (see FIG. 3) positioned on the bottom of the balloon limitor 33 and cause the yarn Y and positive air stream to flow up between the basket device 26 and the balloon limitor device 33 carrying the yarn Y upwardly for continued threading through the spindle assembly 10. Other devices for automatically threading the yarn Y are disclosed in the above mentioned US. Patent.

The end of the yarn Y emerging from the top of the balloon limitor 33 and basket device 26 may require knotting with a broken or otherwise separated yarn end extending downwardly from the package 44 of yarn Y through the guide 40.

Thus it may be seen, that in order for a spindle assembly 10 of the two-for-one twister yarn processing machine to be started back up after yarn breakage or the exhausting of a supply package P of yarn Y, certain servicing is required to be performed at the respective spindle assembly. These services include re-positioning of the rotor mechanism 11 in the proper rethreading position, actuation of the pneumatic threading devices by creating a stream of compressed air through these devices and knotting of separated yarn ends at the top of the balloon limitor mechanism 33 in the event of yarn breakage.

For supplying these services, a service carriage mechanism 51 is supported by wheels 52 on a longitudinally extending rail 53 carried by the yarn processing machine generally at the front of the spindle assemblies 10. The carriage 51 is further supported by U-shaped frame member 55 into which a guiding member 56 extends from the carriage mechanism 51. Thus, the carriage mechanism 51 is mounted for longitudinal movement along the front of the yarn processing machine and the spindle assemblies 10 thereof. The carriage mechanism 51 may be manually moved along the front of the spindle assemblies 10 or it may be motorized by the provision of an electric or other type of motor 57 attached to one of the wheels 52 (as shown in FIG. 3).

This motor 57 is preferably of the reversing type and will contact a switch (not shown) at the respective ends of the yarn processing machine for. reversing its drive and thus reversing the movement of the carriage mechanism 51 so that it continually moves back and forth along the front of the yarn processing machine and the spindle assemblies 10.

The service carriage mechanism 51 carries devices, generally indicated at 60 for re-positioning the spindle rotor mechanism 11 in the desired rethreading position upon the stopping of the rotor mechanism 11 in an undesired position. Also, the service carriage mechanism carries selectively actuatable mechanisms 61 for pneumatically actuating the pneumatically operated yarn threading mechanisms, described above. These repositioning and threading actuating mechanisms 60, 61 carried by the service carriage mechanism 51 form the subject matter of another invention set forth in copending United States Patent application, Ser. No. 407,504, filed oct. 18, 1973, and reference may be had to that application for complete operation of these devices.

Also, the service carriage mechanism 51 carries an automatically driven yarn knotting mechanism 63 for knotting together two ends of broken or otherwise separated yarn Y. This mechanism also forms the subject matter of a separate invention set forth in co-pending United States Patent application, Ser. No. 400,336, filed Sept. 24, 1973, and reference may be had to that application.

Thus it may be seen, that the service carriage mechanism 51 carries selectively actuatable devices 60, 61 and 63 for performing desired services attselected spindle assembly locations in the two-for-one twister yarn processing machine when the service carriage mechanism 51 is positioned and stopped at the selected spindle assembly 10.

ln accordance with the present invention, improved means for positioning, stopping and locking the service carriage mechanism 51 in a predetermined desired location at the front of a selected spindle assembly for allowing servicing thereof is provided, as follows.

ln the description to follow, there will be described several embodiments of the improved positioning, stopping and locking means according to this invention with various alternative features on each embodiment and it is to be understood that various features from one embodiment may be used on another embodiment and visa versa. All of these embodiments include certain common features which will not be described with respect to each embodiment and like reference numerals will be used in each embodiment for common features therein. Also, in FIGS. 1 3, there is shown certain mechanisms, including pneumatic air conveying circuits, valves, piston-cylinder units, etc. which relate to the operation of the servicing devices 60, 61, 63, discussed above, and these devices will not be specifically described herein and reference may be had to the copending applications identified above for descriptions of these devices.

Referring firstly to the embodiment of this invention, specifically shown in FIGS. 1-5, this first embodiment of improved means for positioning, stopping and locking the service carriage 51 in a predetermined desired location comprises a first locking component in the form of a roller 100 rotatably mounted by stub shaft 101 on a housing block 102 secured to the underside of yarn processing machine frame 13. One of these housing blocks 102 and roller locking component is positioned in front of each of the spindle assemblies 10 of the two-for-one twister yarn processing machine or at the desired servicing locations of any machine.

A second locking component comprising two elongate members 105 and 106 is provided in which opposite ends of the elongate members 105, 106 are pivotally mounted by stub shafts 107 and 108 to upstanding frame portions 109 of the service carriage mechanism 51. The pivoted end of the elongated member 106 is spaced out somewhat from the vertical frame member 109 by an angle bracket 1 10 which corresponds generally to the thickness of the elongate member 105 so that the two elongate members can be moved directly past each other without interference. The other ends of the two elongate members 105, 106 are pivotally mounted at 112 and 113 to the piston rods of respective piston-cylinder units 114, 115, respectively. The other ends of the piston-cylinder units 114, 115 are pivotally mounted on a generally horizontally extending frame portion 117 of service carriage mechanism 51.

The elongate members 105, 106 are positioned in scissors-like relationship for crossing each other generally medially thereof and form a depression 120 in the region of their crossing. From the depression 120, inclined guide surfaces 121 and 122 are formed on the respective elongate members 105, 106 and extend longitudinally outwardly from the depression 120 and form generally an obtuse angle from the depression 120. The elongate members 105, 106 further define oppositely inclined guide surfaces 125 and 126, respectively, which extend outwardly from the first mentioned guide surfaces 121, 122 and in a generally downward or opposite direction.

The elongate members 105, 106 are normally maintained in an inoperative position (as shown in FIG. 5) away from contact with the stationary roller locking component 100 when positioning, stopping and locking of the service carriage mechanism 51 is not desired.

However, when positioning, stopping and locking of the service carriage mechanism 51 is desired, compressed air will be fed to the bottom of piston-cylinder units 114, 115 to cause the piston rods thereof to move upwardly causing upward movement of the respective members 105, 106 to bring these members into contact with the roller locking component 100. The air pressure within the piston-cylinder units 114, 115 is such that it maintains the elongate locking component members 105, 106 resiliently in engagement with the roller locking component 100. When the service carriage mechanism is manually or automatically moved to the general vicinity of stationary roller locking component 100, the roller locking component 100 will come into contact with the guide surfaces 121 or 122 and will roll down these guide surfaces 121 or 122 into the depression 120. This effects a proper positioning of the service carriage mechanism 51 and a stopping and locking of the service carriage mechanism 51 in the proper position in front of a respective spindle assembly 10.

lf, however, the service carriage mechanism 51 is further away from the spindle assembly 10 and the guide surfaces 121, 122 of elongate locking component members 105, 106, the roller locking component 100 will first come into contact with guide surfaces 125 or 126 so that service carriage mechanism 51 may be gently pushed or driven, against the resiliency of pistoncylinder units 114, 115, to cause the roller locking component 100 to smoothly ride up the guiding surfaces 125 or 126 and then come into contact with the downwardly inclined guiding surfaces 121 or 122 for positioning, stopping and locking of the service carriage mechanism 51 in its predetermined desired servicing position.

Thus, the force of movement for positioning the service carriage mechanism 51 in the correct desired position in front of a spindle assembly is effected by the resiliency of elongate locking component members 105, 106 bearing against the stationary roller locking component 100 and provided by pneumatic, pistoncylinder units 114, 115. This arrangement avoids a sudden shock stop of the carriage mechanism 51 and allows a smooth guiding of the carriage mechanism 51 to correctly position the same and stop and lock the carriage mechanism 51 in its desired position.

For moving the elongate movable locking component members 105, 106 into their operative position (as shown in FIG. 4) by the pneumatic piston-cylinder units 114, 115, the air under pressure is continually supplied to the service carriage mechanism 51 by a supply line 130 (see FIG. 3) from any convenient source of supply to fill the hollow frame portions 109 of the service carriage mechanism 51 with compressed air to serve as a source of compressed air. This compressed air leads from the hollow frame portions 109 through an air conveying line 131 to a manually actuated or otherwise actuated valve 132 positioned on an extension of service carriage mechanism 51 (as shown in FIG. 2). The valve 32 may be manually or otherwise opened by actuating levers 133 to allow the flow of air through an air conveying line 134 which leads to the bottom of piston-cylinder units 114, 115 for actuation thereof to move the elongate locking component members 105, 106 to the operative position (shown in FIG. 4). The pressure of the compressed air fed to these piston-cylinder units 114, 115 is regulated so as to provide the desired resiliency, discussed above.

After the service carriage mechanism 51 has been positioned, stopped and locked at the desired servicing location and the servicing functions have been accomplished, the positioning, stopping and locking mechanism may be deactuated by again manually or otherwise operating the valve 132 to cut off the flow of air through air conveying line 134 to the piston-cylinder units 114, 115 and allow the piston rods thereof and the elongate movable locking component members 105, 106 to retract to their inoperative position (as shown in FIG. 5). This retraction may be accomplished by the force of gravity or the piston-cylinder units 114, 115 may include a spring internally thereof for accomplishing this retraction.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 8, the embodiment shown therein is generally similar to that of FIGS. 4 and 5 except that the depression 120 is shaped in the deepest portion 140 thereof in the form of an arc of a circle and the sides of the depression are in the form of tangentially inclined surfaces 141 and 142 leading from the guide surfaces 121, 122, respectively. Inasmuch as the depression 120 is formed by both of the elongate locking component members 105, 106, one-half of the deepest portion of the depression 120 forming the arc of a circle 140 and one of the tangentially inclined surfaces 141, 142 is formed on each of the elongate members 105, 106, respectively so that the depression 120 is formed in the shape described above when the movable elongate locking component members 105, 106 are moved to their operative position (shown in FIG. 4).

The stationary roller locking component is generally cylindrical shaped and the arc of the circle forming the deepest portion of the depression 120 corresponds generally in diameter to the diameter of the cylindrical roller 142. This construction provides an extremely shock-free or smooth shuttling for positioning, stopping and locking of the carriage mechanism 51 into its servicing position.

As shown in this embodiment of FIGS. 6 8, there is provided indicator means, generally indicated at 150, carried by the yarn processing machine for indicating the need for service individually for each of the spindle assemblies 10, and a sensing means, generally indicated at 151, carried by the service carriage mechanism 51 and connected with the mechanisms for resiliently moving the movable locking components 105, 106 nd being responsive to the indication for the need of service by the indicator means at a particular spindle assembly location for actuating the mechanisms for moving the locking components 105, 106 into their operative position to cause operation of the mechanisms for positioning, stopping and locking the service carriage mechanism 51 at the desired spindle assembly location.

The forrn of the indicator means 150 and sensing means 151 illustrated in FIGS. 6 8 is as follows. The indicator means 150 comprises an elongate strip 153 extending longitudinally along the length of the yarn processing machine and secured thereto and having an aperture 154 therein at the front of each of the spindle assemblies 10. The indicator means further include a separate movable closure device for each of the apertures 154 in the form of a plunger 156 having the shape of the aperture 154 and secured to the end of a shaft 157 extending from a suitable solenoid 158 or other device for moving the plunger 156 from a position within the aperture 154 for closing the aperture 154 when service is not needed at that particular spindle assembly location to a position out of the aperture 154 to indicate the need for service at that specific spindle assembly location. The solenoid or plunger moving device 158 may be actuated by any suitable mechanism in the spindle assembly or otherwise, such as for example, a yarn feeler electrical switch device 160 (see FIG. 2) which upon the breakage of yarn or the absence of feeling of yarn Y passing therethrough will operate a switch to energize solenoid 158 and cause movement of the plunger mechanism 160 out of the aperture 154 of the strip 153 at a particular spindle assembly location.

The sensing means 151 comprises a pneumaticallyoperated control valve disposed in the air conveying line 134 which upon actuation opens to allow the flow of air therethrough to the piston-cylinder units 114, 115. The sensing means 151 further includes a pneumatic air conveying line 166 leading from a sensing head 167 which has an orifice 168 in the front thereof in engagement with the strip 153. The air conveying line 166, sensing head 167 and orifice 168 are maintained under constant pressure, but air can only flow out of the orifice 168 when it comes in contact with an open aperture 154 in which the plungermechanism 156 has been moved away from the aperture 154 to indicate the need of service. The sensing head 167 and orifice 168 are substantially sealed by the strip 153 to prevent the flow of air out of the orifice 168 until it comes into contact with an open aperture 154. When this occurs, the valve 165 will be actuated due to the drop in back-pressure in the valve to open the flow of air into air lines 134 to move the locking components 105, 106 into engagement with the locking component 100.

Thus, in operation, as the service carriage 51 is moved along the front of the spindle assemblies 10, either manually or automatically by motor 57, the sensing head 167 and orifice 168 will move along the strip 153 until the orifice 168 comes into contact with an open aperture 154 in the strip 153 which indicates the need for service at a particular spindle assembly location. When this occurs, a back-pressure will be established in the air conveying line 166 to operate the pneumatically controlled valve 165 to open the valve 165 and allow the flow of air through the air conveying lines 134 to the pneumatically-operated piston-cylinder units 114, 115 to move the movable elongate locking component members 105, 106 from their inoperative position (shown in FIG. 8) to their operative positions (shown in FIG. 6) for effecting positioning of the service carriage mechanism by the roller 100 riding down the inclined surfaces 121 or 122 and stopping and locking of the service carriage 51 in the desired servicing position by the roller 100 being received in the depression 120.

If the service carriage is automatically moved by a motor mechanism 57, the sensing head 167 may include a suitable switch or other means connected to the motor 57 for stopping operation of the motor 57 to allow the carriage mechanism 51 to be stopped. Any suitable arrangement may be utilized such as a clutch on the motor 57 or a pneumatically-operated brake or clutch controlled by the sensing head 167.

Thus it may be seen that the positioning, stopping and locking mechanisms of this invention may include indicating and sensing means for automatically putting these mechanisms into operation upon the indication of a need for service at a particular spindle assembly location and these means may be used with any embodiment of this invention.

Referring now to the embodiment of this invention illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the movable elongate locking component is in the form of a single generally flattened U-shaped member 170 pivotally mounted at the outer ends thereof on brackets 171 secured to upstanding frame portions 109 of the service carriage mechanism 51. In this embodiment, the depression 120, guide surfaces 121, 122 and 125, 126 are formed on the flattened medial portion of the U-shaped member 170. The depression 120 may be in the shape described with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 6 8. The U-shaped locking component member 170 may be stabilized for pivoting movement by a longitudinally extending shaft 173.

For movement of the locking component member 170 from the inoperative position (shown in FIG. 10) to the operative position, (shown in FIG. 9), a single pneumatically-operated, piston-cylinder unit 175 is utilized. This piston-cylinder unit 175 is mounted on a bracket 176 attached to the service carriage mechanism 51 and the extendable piston rod of the pistoncylinder unit 175 is attached generally to the medial portion of locking component member 170. Air under pressure is fed to the bottom of the piston-cylinder unit 175 by the air conveying line 134, as discussed above, for actuation thereof and movement of the locking component member 170 into contact with the stationary roller locking component for the purposes described above.

In this embodiment, an alternative form of indicator means 150 is utilized in the form of a cam 181 secured to the bottom of housing block 102. The cam 181 may be mounted for movement from an inoperative position where service is not required at a specific spindle assembly location to an operative position (as shown in FIG. 9) when servicing is required. The sensing mechanism 151 of this embodiment comprises a cam follower 182 pivotally mounted on a valve 183 for engaging a plunger 184 of the valve 183 when the cam follower 182 comes in engagement with the cam 181 for opening the valve 183. The valve 183 is disposed in the air conveying line 134 so as to prevent the flow of air to the piston-cylinder unit 175 until opened by the cam follower 182 and the plunger 184. Any suitable arrangement for bringing the cam 181 and the cam follower 182 into engagement with each other when service is desired at a specific location may be utilized in this embodiment.

Referring now to the embodiment of this invention illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the stationary locking component carried by the housing block 102 is in the form of an elongate member 190 which includes the depression medially thereof on a bottom surface thereof and guide surfaces 121, 122 and 125, 126 extending outwardly therefrom, as described above. The movable locking component of this embodiment comprises the rotatably mounted roller 100 carried on the end of a lever arm 192 which is pivotally mounted at 193 to a bracket 194 carried by the upstanding portion 109 of the service carriage mechanism 51. The movable roller locking component 100 is moved from an inoperative position (as shown in FIG. 12) to the operative position in contact with the stationary elongate locking member 190 (as shown in FIG. 11) by a single pneumatic piston-cylinder mechanism 175, as utilized in the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10. Air is conveyed to the bottom of piston-cylinder unit 175 by air conveying line 134. This embodiment also includes service indicating means along with sensing means 151 including valve positioned in air conveying line 134. Operation of this embodiment is as described above in connection with the other embodiments.

Thus it may be seen, that this invention has provided several alternative embodiments with alternative features in connection with each embodiment which may be used on other embodiments, which overcome the above enumerated problems with prior mechanisms and provide a simplified, robust, accurate, wear resistant, etc. construction of mechanisms for positioning, stopping and locking a service carriage mechanism in desired servicing positions.

In the drawings and specification, there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

What is claimed is:

1. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies mounted in side-by-side relationship longitudinally of said machine and which individually require servicing in the event of yarn breakage, ex hausting of a supply package of yarn, etc.; the combination therewith of a movable service carriage mechanism carrying means for selectively servicing desired individual spindle assemblies, means mounting said service carriage mechanism for movement longitudinally along the front of said machine and said spindle assemblies, and means for positioning, stopping and locking said service carriage mechanism in a predetermined desired location at the front of a selected spindle assembly for servicing thereof, said positioning, stopping and locking means comprising:

a first locking component comprising a rotatably mounted roller;

a second cooperating locking component comprising at least one elongate member extending longitudinally of said machine and including a depression therein medially thereof for receiving said roller and cooperating therewith for stopping and locking said service carriage mechanism, and inclined guide surfaces extending longitudinally outwardly from said depression and forming generally an obtuse angle from said depression for contacting and guiding said roller into said depression or positioning said service carriage mechanism;

one of said first and second locking components being mounted stationary on said machine at each of said spindle assemblies in a predetermined position and the other of said first and second locking components being movably mounted on said service carriage mechanism for movement between an inoperative position away from contact with said stationary locking component when positioning, stopping and locking of said service carriage mechanism is not desired and an operative position for contact with said stationary locking component when positioning, stopping and locking of said service carriage mechanism is desired; and

selectively operable means carried by said service carriage mechanism for resiliently moving said movable locking component into the operative position.

2. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said roller is generally cylindrical shaped and said depression is shaped in the deepest portion thereof in the form of an arc of a circle generally corresponding to the diameter of said roller and the sides of said depression being in the form of tangentially inclined surfaces leading from said guide surfaces.

3. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said second locking component further includes oppositely inclined guide surfaces extending outwardly from said first mentioned guide surfaces for contacting and guiding said roller onto said first-mentioned guide surfaces and into said depression.

4. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, further including indicator means carried by said machine for indicating the need for service individually for each of said spindle assemblies, and sensing means carried by said service carriage mechanism and connected with said means for resiliently moving said movable'locking component and being responsive to the indication for the need of service by said indicator means for actuating said moving means to cause operation of said means for positioning, stopping and locking said service carriage mechanism.

5. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 4, further including reversing drive means connected to said service carriage mechanism for driving said service carriage mechanism back and forth along the front of said machine, and in which said sensing means is connected with said carriage drive means for stopping operation thereof in response to the indication for the need of service by said indicator means.

6. ln a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said means for resiliently moving said movable locking component comprises at least one pneumatically-operated, piston-cylinder unit carried by said service carriage mechanism and attached to said movable locking component and selectively actuatable, air circuit means for supplying compressed air to said piston-cylinder unit for actuation thereof for moving said movable locking component into engagement with said stationary locking component and resiliently maintaining such contact during movement of said roller along said inclined guide surfaces and into said depression.

7. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 6, further including indicator means carried by said machine for indicating the need for service of each of said spindle assemblies and comprising longitudinally extending strip means carried by said machine and extending along the front of each of said spindle assemblies and having an aperture therein at the front of each of said spindle assemblies and a movable closure means for each of said apertures for moving between an inoperative position within said aperture of said strip means for closing same when service of the respective spindle assembly is not needed and an operative position withdrawn from said aperture in said strip means when servicing of said respective spindle assembly is desired, and sensing means carried by said service carriage mechanism for passing along said strip means of said indicator means and connected with said air circuit means for actuating said air circuit means, said sensing means comprising a pneumaticallyoperated control valve connected in said air circuit means for initiating the flow of air therethrough and to said piston-cylinder unit when actuated and a pneumatic air conveying line having an orifice at one end thereof and connected at the other end thereof with said pneumatically operated valve, said orifice being in engagement with said strip means to be substantially closed by said strip means and to be opened when said orifice comes into engagement with one of said apertures in which said closure means has been moved thereaway to the operative position thereof for pneumatically actuating said control valve for actuating said cooperating locking elements and thus operating said positioning, stopping and locking means.

8. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 6, further including indicator means carried by said machine for indicating the need for service of each of said spindle assemblies and comprising cam means extending along the front of each of said spindle assemblies, and sensing means carried by said service carriage mechanism for passing along the front of said spindle assemblies and connected with said air circuit means for actuating said air circuit means, said sensing means comprising cam follower means for engaging said camming means when servicing of a spindle assembly is desired and control valve means connected with said cam follower means and with said air circuit means for initiating the flow of air through said air circuit means and to said piston-cylinder unit when actuated by said cam follower means for actuating said cooperating locking elements and thus operating said positioning, stopping and locking means.

9. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies mounted in side-by-side relationship longitudinally of said machine and which individually require servicing in the event of yarn breakage, exhausting of a supply package of yarn, etc.; the combination therewith of a movable service carriage mechanism carrying means for selectively servicing desired individual spindle assemblies, means mounting said service carriage mechanism for movement longitudinally along the front of said machine and said spindle assemblies, and means for positioning, stopping and locking said service carriage mechanism in a predetermined desired location at the front of a selected spindle assembly for servicing thereof, said positioning, stopping and locking means comprising:

a first locking component comprising a roller rotatably mounted stationary on said machine at each of said spindle assemblies in a predetermined position;

a second cooperating locking component movably mounted on said service carriage mechanism for movement between an inoperative position away from contact with said stationary first locking component at each of said spindle assemblies when positioning, stopping and locking of said service carriage mechanism is not desired and an operative position for contact with said stationary locking component when positioning, stopping and locking of said service carriage mechanism is desired, said second locking component comprising at least one elongate member extending longitudinally of said machine and including a depression therein medially thereof for receiving said roller and cooperating therewith for stopping and locking said service carriage mechanism and inclined guide surfaces extending longitudinally outwardly from said depression and forming generally an obtuse angle from said depression for contacting and guiding said roller into said depression for positioning said service carriage mechanism and selectively operable means carried by said service carriage mechanism for resiliently moving said movable second locking component into the operative position thereof for engagement between said movable second locking component and said stationary first locking component during the guiding and positioning of said roller in said depression.

10. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 9, in which said second locking component comprises two pivotally mounted elongate members positioned in scissors-like relationship and crossing each other generally medially thereof and together forming said depression in the region of their crossing.

II. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 10, in which opposite ends of said elongate members are pivotally mounted on said service carriage mechanism, and in which said means for moving said second locking component comprises pneumatically-operated, piston-cylinder units carried by said service carriage mechanism and connected respectively to the other opposite ends of said elongate members, and selectively-actuatable air circuit means for supplying compressed air upon actuation thereof to said piston-cylinder units for moving said elongate members to the operative position of said second locking component.

12. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 11, in which said roller forming said first locking component is generally cylindrical shaped and said depression in said second locking component is shaped in the deepest portion thereof in the form of an arc of a circle generally corresponding to the diameter of said roller and the sides of said depression being in the form of tangentially inclined surfaces leading from said guide surfaces, said depression being formed when said two elongate members are moved to the operative position thereof and one-half of said depression including onehalf of the arc of the circle and one tangentially inclined surface being formed in each of said elongate members, respectively.

13. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 9, in which said second locking component comprises a single generally flattened U-shaped member pivotally mounted on said service carriage mechanism at the respective end portions thereof and said depression and said guide surfaces being formed in the medial portion thereof which extends generally longitudinally of said machine.

14. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 13, in which said means for moving said second locking component comprises a pneumatically operated, piston-cylinder unit carried by said service carriage mechanism and connected to the medial portion of said flattened U-shaped member, and selectivelyactuatable air circuit means for supplying compressed air upon actuation thereof to said piston-cylinder unit for moving said U-shaped member to the operative position of said second locking component.

15. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 14, in which said roller is generally cylindrical shaped and said depression is shaped in the deepest portion thereof in the form of an arc of a circle generally corresponding to the diameter of said roller and the sides of said depression being in the form of tangentially inclined surfaces leading from said guide surfaces, and in which said medial portion of said flattened U- shaped member forming said second locking component further includes oppositely inclined guide surface extending outwardly from said first mentioned guide surfaces for contacting and guiding said roller onto said first mentioned guide surfaces and into said depression.

16. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies mounted in side-by-side relationship longitudinally of said machine and which individually require servicing in the event of yarn breakage, exhausting of a supply package of yarn, etc.; the combination therewith of a movable service carriage mechanism carrying means for selectively servicing desired individual spindle assemblies, means mounting said service carriage mechanism for movement longitudinally along the front of said machine and said spindle assemblies, and means for positioning, stopping and locking said service carriage mechanism in a predetermined desired location at the front of a selected spindle assembly for servicing thereof, said positioning, stopping and locking means comprising:

a locking component mounted stationary on said machine at each of said spindle assemblies in a predetermined position and comprising an elongate member extending longitudinally of said machine and including a depression therein medially thereof and inclined guide surfaces extending longitudinally outwardly from said depression and forming generally an obtuse angle from said depression;

a cooperating locking component comprising a rotatably mounted roller movably carried on said service carriage mechanism for movement between an inoperative position away from contact with said stationary locking component at each of said spindle assemblies when positioning, stopping and locking of said service carriage mechanism is not desired and an operative position for contact with said stationary locking component and with said guide surfaces for being guided thereby into said depression for positioning, stopping and locking said service carriage mechanism; and

selectively operable means carried by said service carriage mechanism for resiliently moving said movable locking component into the operative position thereof for engagement between said movable locking component and said stationary locking component during the guiding and positioning of said roller in said depression.

17. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 16, in which said movable locking component further includes a lever arm pivotally mounted at one end to said service carriage mechanism and rotatably carrying said roller on the other end thereof; and in which said means for moving said movable locking component comprises a pneumatically operated, piston-cylinder unit carried by said service carriage mechanism and connected to said lever, and selectively actuatable air circuit means for supplying compressed air upon actuation thereof to said piston-cylinder unit for moving said lever and said roller to the operative position of said movable locking component.

18. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 17, in which said roller is generally cylindrical shaped and said depression is shaped in the deepest portion thereof in the form of an arc of a circle generally corresponding to the diameter of said roller and the sides of said depression are in the form of tangentially inclined surfaces leading from said guide surfaces; and in which said elongate member forming said stationary locking component further includes oppositely inclined guide surfaces extending outwardly from said first men tioned guide surfaces for contacting and guiding said roller onto said first mentioned guide surfaces and into said depression.

19. In a movable service carriage mechanism including means mounting said service carriage mechanism for movement longitudinally along the front of textile yarn processing machine or other machine for servicing the machine at desired predetermined longitudinal locations therealong; the improvement of means for positioning, stopping and locking said service carriage mechanism in selected, predetermined, desired locations along the front of the machine, and positioning, stopping and locking means comprising:

a first locking component comprising a rotatably mounted roller;

a second cooperating locking component comprising at least one elongate member extending longitudinally of the machine being serviced and including a depression therein medially thereof for receiving said roller and cooperating therewith for stopping and locking said service carriage mechanism and inclined guide surfaces extending longitudinally outwardly from said depression and forming generally an obtuse angle from said depression for contacting and guiding said roller into said depression for positioning said service carriage mechanism;

one of said first and second locking components being mounted stationary on the machine being serviced at each of the desired predetermined servicing locations and the other of said first and second locking components being movably mounted on said service carriage mechanism for movement between an inoperative position away from contact with said stationary locking component when positioning, stopping and locking of said service carriage mechanism is not desired and an operative position for contact with said stationary locking component when positioning, stopping and locking of said service carriage mechanism is desired; and

selectively operable means carried by said service carriage mechanism for resiliently moving said movable locking component into the operative position thereof.

20. In a movable service carriage mechanism, as set forth in claim 19, in which said roller is generally cylindrical shaped and said depression is shaped in the deepest portion thereof in the form of an arc of a circle generally corresponding to the diameter of said roller and the sides of said depression are in the form of tangentially inclined surfaces leading from said guide surfaces; and in which said elongate member forming said stationary first locking component further includes oppositely inclined guide surfaces extending outwardly from said first mentioned guide surfaces for contacting and guiding said roller onto said first mentioned guide surfaces and into said depression.

21. In a movable service carriage mechanism, as set forth in claim 19, in which said means for resiliently moving said movable locking component comprises at least one pneumatically-operated piston-cylinder unit carried by said service carriage mechanism and attached to said movable locking component and selectively actuatable, air circuit means for supplying compressed air to said piston-cylinder unit for actuation thereof for moving said movable locking component into engagement with said stationary locking component and resiliently maintaining such contact during movement of said roller along said inclined guide surfaces and into said depression.

22. In a movable service carriage mechanism, as set forth in claim 19, further including indicator means associated with the machine being serviced for indicating a need for service individually for each of the predetermined servicing positions, and sensing means carried by said service carriage mechanism and connected with said means for resiliently moving said movable locking components and being responsive to the indication for the need for service by said indicator means for actuating said moving means to cause operation of said means for positioning, stopping and locking said service carriage mechanism.

sensing means is connected with said carriage drive means for stopping operation thereof in response to the indication which the need of service by said indicator means. 

1. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies mounted in side-by-side relationship longitudinally of said machine and which individually require servicing in the event of yarn breakage, exhausting of a supply package of yarn, etc.; the combination therewith of a movable service carriage mechanism carrying means for selectively servicing desired individual spindle assemblies, means mounting said service carriage mechanism for movement longitudinally along the front of said machine and said spindle assemblies, and means for positioning, stopping and locking said service carriage mechanism in a predetermined desired location at the front of a selected spindle assembly for servicing thereof, said positioning, stopping and locking means comprising: a first locking component comprising a rotatably mounted roller; a second cooperating locking component comprising at least one elongate member extending longitudinally of said machine and including a depression therein medially thereof for receiving said roller and cooperating therewith for stopping and locking said service carriage mechanism, and inclined guide surfaces extending longitudinally outwardly from said depression and forming generally an obtuse angle from said depression for contacting and guiding said roller into said depression or positioning said service carriage mechanism; one of said first and second locking components being mounted stationary on said machine at each of said spindle assemblies in a predetermined position and the other of said first and second locking components being movably mounted on said service carriage mechanism for movement between an inoperative position away from contact with said stationary locking component when positioning, stopping and locking of said service carriage mechanism is not desired and an operative position for cOntact with said stationary locking component when positioning, stopping and locking of said service carriage mechanism is desired; and selectively operable means carried by said service carriage mechanism for resiliently moving said movable locking component into the operative position.
 2. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said roller is generally cylindrical shaped and said depression is shaped in the deepest portion thereof in the form of an arc of a circle generally corresponding to the diameter of said roller and the sides of said depression being in the form of tangentially inclined surfaces leading from said guide surfaces.
 3. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said second locking component further includes oppositely inclined guide surfaces extending outwardly from said first mentioned guide surfaces for contacting and guiding said roller onto said first-mentioned guide surfaces and into said depression.
 4. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, further including indicator means carried by said machine for indicating the need for service individually for each of said spindle assemblies, and sensing means carried by said service carriage mechanism and connected with said means for resiliently moving said movable locking component and being responsive to the indication for the need of service by said indicator means for actuating said moving means to cause operation of said means for positioning, stopping and locking said service carriage mechanism.
 5. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 4, further including reversing drive means connected to said service carriage mechanism for driving said service carriage mechanism back and forth along the front of said machine, and in which said sensing means is connected with said carriage drive means for stopping operation thereof in response to the indication for the need of service by said indicator means.
 6. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said means for resiliently moving said movable locking component comprises at least one pneumatically-operated, piston-cylinder unit carried by said service carriage mechanism and attached to said movable locking component and selectively actuatable, air circuit means for supplying compressed air to said piston-cylinder unit for actuation thereof for moving said movable locking component into engagement with said stationary locking component and resiliently maintaining such contact during movement of said roller along said inclined guide surfaces and into said depression.
 7. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 6, further including indicator means carried by said machine for indicating the need for service of each of said spindle assemblies and comprising longitudinally extending strip means carried by said machine and extending along the front of each of said spindle assemblies and having an aperture therein at the front of each of said spindle assemblies and a movable closure means for each of said apertures for moving between an inoperative position within said aperture of said strip means for closing same when service of the respective spindle assembly is not needed and an operative position withdrawn from said aperture in said strip means when servicing of said respective spindle assembly is desired, and sensing means carried by said service carriage mechanism for passing along said strip means of said indicator means and connected with said air circuit means for actuating said air circuit means, said sensing means comprising a pneumatically-operated control valve connected in said air circuit means for initiating the flow of air therethrough and to said piston-cylinder unit when actuated and a pneumatic air conveying line having an orifice at one end thereof and connected at the other end thereof with said pneumatically operated valve, said orifice being in engagement with said strIp means to be substantially closed by said strip means and to be opened when said orifice comes into engagement with one of said apertures in which said closure means has been moved thereaway to the operative position thereof for pneumatically actuating said control valve for actuating said cooperating locking elements and thus operating said positioning, stopping and locking means.
 8. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 6, further including indicator means carried by said machine for indicating the need for service of each of said spindle assemblies and comprising cam means extending along the front of each of said spindle assemblies, and sensing means carried by said service carriage mechanism for passing along the front of said spindle assemblies and connected with said air circuit means for actuating said air circuit means, said sensing means comprising cam follower means for engaging said camming means when servicing of a spindle assembly is desired and control valve means connected with said cam follower means and with said air circuit means for initiating the flow of air through said air circuit means and to said piston-cylinder unit when actuated by said cam follower means for actuating said cooperating locking elements and thus operating said positioning, stopping and locking means.
 9. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies mounted in side-by-side relationship longitudinally of said machine and which individually require servicing in the event of yarn breakage, exhausting of a supply package of yarn, etc.; the combination therewith of a movable service carriage mechanism carrying means for selectively servicing desired individual spindle assemblies, means mounting said service carriage mechanism for movement longitudinally along the front of said machine and said spindle assemblies, and means for positioning, stopping and locking said service carriage mechanism in a predetermined desired location at the front of a selected spindle assembly for servicing thereof, said positioning, stopping and locking means comprising: a first locking component comprising a roller rotatably mounted stationary on said machine at each of said spindle assemblies in a predetermined position; a second cooperating locking component movably mounted on said service carriage mechanism for movement between an inoperative position away from contact with said stationary first locking component at each of said spindle assemblies when positioning, stopping and locking of said service carriage mechanism is not desired and an operative position for contact with said stationary locking component when positioning, stopping and locking of said service carriage mechanism is desired, said second locking component comprising at least one elongate member extending longitudinally of said machine and including a depression therein medially thereof for receiving said roller and cooperating therewith for stopping and locking said service carriage mechanism and inclined guide surfaces extending longitudinally outwardly from said depression and forming generally an obtuse angle from said depression for contacting and guiding said roller into said depression for positioning said service carriage mechanism and selectively operable means carried by said service carriage mechanism for resiliently moving said movable second locking component into the operative position thereof for engagement between said movable second locking component and said stationary first locking component during the guiding and positioning of said roller in said depression.
 10. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 9, in which said second locking component comprises two pivotally mounted elongate members positioned in scissors-like relationship and crossing each other generally medially thereof and together forming said depression in the region of their crossing.
 11. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 10, in which opposite ends of said elongate members are pivotally mounted on said service carriage mechanism, and in which said means for moving said second locking component comprises pneumatically-operated, piston-cylinder units carried by said service carriage mechanism and connected respectively to the other opposite ends of said elongate members, and selectively-actuatable air circuit means for supplying compressed air upon actuation thereof to said piston-cylinder units for moving said elongate members to the operative position of said second locking component.
 12. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 11, in which said roller forming said first locking component is generally cylindrical shaped and said depression in said second locking component is shaped in the deepest portion thereof in the form of an arc of a circle generally corresponding to the diameter of said roller and the sides of said depression being in the form of tangentially inclined surfaces leading from said guide surfaces, said depression being formed when said two elongate members are moved to the operative position thereof and one-half of said depression including one-half of the arc of the circle and one tangentially inclined surface being formed in each of said elongate members, respectively.
 13. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 9, in which said second locking component comprises a single generally flattened U-shaped member pivotally mounted on said service carriage mechanism at the respective end portions thereof and said depression and said guide surfaces being formed in the medial portion thereof which extends generally longitudinally of said machine.
 14. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 13, in which said means for moving said second locking component comprises a pneumatically operated, piston-cylinder unit carried by said service carriage mechanism and connected to the medial portion of said flattened U-shaped member, and selectively-actuatable air circuit means for supplying compressed air upon actuation thereof to said piston-cylinder unit for moving said U-shaped member to the operative position of said second locking component.
 15. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 14, in which said roller is generally cylindrical shaped and said depression is shaped in the deepest portion thereof in the form of an arc of a circle generally corresponding to the diameter of said roller and the sides of said depression being in the form of tangentially inclined surfaces leading from said guide surfaces, and in which said medial portion of said flattened U-shaped member forming said second locking component further includes oppositely inclined guide surface extending outwardly from said first mentioned guide surfaces for contacting and guiding said roller onto said first mentioned guide surfaces and into said depression.
 16. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies mounted in side-by-side relationship longitudinally of said machine and which individually require servicing in the event of yarn breakage, exhausting of a supply package of yarn, etc.; the combination therewith of a movable service carriage mechanism carrying means for selectively servicing desired individual spindle assemblies, means mounting said service carriage mechanism for movement longitudinally along the front of said machine and said spindle assemblies, and means for positioning, stopping and locking said service carriage mechanism in a predetermined desired location at the front of a selected spindle assembly for servicing thereof, said positioning, stopping and locking means comprising: a locking component mounted stationary on said machine at each of said spindle assemblies in a predetermined position and comprising an elongate member extending longitudinally of said machine and incLuding a depression therein medially thereof and inclined guide surfaces extending longitudinally outwardly from said depression and forming generally an obtuse angle from said depression; a cooperating locking component comprising a rotatably mounted roller movably carried on said service carriage mechanism for movement between an inoperative position away from contact with said stationary locking component at each of said spindle assemblies when positioning, stopping and locking of said service carriage mechanism is not desired and an operative position for contact with said stationary locking component and with said guide surfaces for being guided thereby into said depression for positioning, stopping and locking said service carriage mechanism; and selectively operable means carried by said service carriage mechanism for resiliently moving said movable locking component into the operative position thereof for engagement between said movable locking component and said stationary locking component during the guiding and positioning of said roller in said depression.
 17. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 16, in which said movable locking component further includes a lever arm pivotally mounted at one end to said service carriage mechanism and rotatably carrying said roller on the other end thereof; and in which said means for moving said movable locking component comprises a pneumatically operated, piston-cylinder unit carried by said service carriage mechanism and connected to said lever, and selectively actuatable air circuit means for supplying compressed air upon actuation thereof to said piston-cylinder unit for moving said lever and said roller to the operative position of said movable locking component.
 18. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 17, in which said roller is generally cylindrical shaped and said depression is shaped in the deepest portion thereof in the form of an arc of a circle generally corresponding to the diameter of said roller and the sides of said depression are in the form of tangentially inclined surfaces leading from said guide surfaces; and in which said elongate member forming said stationary locking component further includes oppositely inclined guide surfaces extending outwardly from said first mentioned guide surfaces for contacting and guiding said roller onto said first mentioned guide surfaces and into said depression.
 19. In a movable service carriage mechanism including means mounting said service carriage mechanism for movement longitudinally along the front of textile yarn processing machine or other machine for servicing the machine at desired predetermined longitudinal locations therealong; the improvement of means for positioning, stopping and locking said service carriage mechanism in selected, predetermined, desired locations along the front of the machine, and positioning, stopping and locking means comprising: a first locking component comprising a rotatably mounted roller; a second cooperating locking component comprising at least one elongate member extending longitudinally of the machine being serviced and including a depression therein medially thereof for receiving said roller and cooperating therewith for stopping and locking said service carriage mechanism and inclined guide surfaces extending longitudinally outwardly from said depression and forming generally an obtuse angle from said depression for contacting and guiding said roller into said depression for positioning said service carriage mechanism; one of said first and second locking components being mounted stationary on the machine being serviced at each of the desired predetermined servicing locations and the other of said first and second locking components being movably mounted on said service carriage mechanism for movement between an inoperative position away from contact with said stationary locking component when positioning, stopping and locking of said service carriage Mechanism is not desired and an operative position for contact with said stationary locking component when positioning, stopping and locking of said service carriage mechanism is desired; and selectively operable means carried by said service carriage mechanism for resiliently moving said movable locking component into the operative position thereof.
 20. In a movable service carriage mechanism, as set forth in claim 19, in which said roller is generally cylindrical shaped and said depression is shaped in the deepest portion thereof in the form of an arc of a circle generally corresponding to the diameter of said roller and the sides of said depression are in the form of tangentially inclined surfaces leading from said guide surfaces; and in which said elongate member forming said stationary first locking component further includes oppositely inclined guide surfaces extending outwardly from said first mentioned guide surfaces for contacting and guiding said roller onto said first mentioned guide surfaces and into said depression.
 21. In a movable service carriage mechanism, as set forth in claim 19, in which said means for resiliently moving said movable locking component comprises at least one pneumatically-operated piston-cylinder unit carried by said service carriage mechanism and attached to said movable locking component and selectively actuatable, air circuit means for supplying compressed air to said piston-cylinder unit for actuation thereof for moving said movable locking component into engagement with said stationary locking component and resiliently maintaining such contact during movement of said roller along said inclined guide surfaces and into said depression.
 22. In a movable service carriage mechanism, as set forth in claim 19, further including indicator means associated with the machine being serviced for indicating a need for service individually for each of the predetermined servicing positions, and sensing means carried by said service carriage mechanism and connected with said means for resiliently moving said movable locking components and being responsive to the indication for the need for service by said indicator means for actuating said moving means to cause operation of said means for positioning, stopping and locking said service carriage mechanism.
 23. In a movable service carriage mechanism, as set forth in claim 22, further including reversing drive means connected to said service carriage mechanism for driving said service carriage mechanism back and forth along the front of said machine, and in hich said sensing means is connected with said carriage drive means for stopping operation thereof in response to the indication which the need of service by said indicator means. 